African violet plant

ABSTRACT

An African violet known by the varietal name Manitoba and characterized by its light blue, violet-shaped single flowers, having violet blue centers; dark green shiny leaves; vigorous growth habit; with 7 to 9 flower stems producing 7 or more single flowers when the plant is in full bloom, and by its early and continuous blooming.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Manitoba.

The new cultivar referred to during the breeding and selection processby the designation C56/1-2/79, is a product of a planned breedingprogram. The new cultivar is generally characterized by its light blue,violet-shaped single flowers; dark green, very shiny and attractiveleaves; essentially continuous blooming, even during brief periods wherethe plant has only 2 or 3 flower stems, and by its 7-9 flower stems with7 and more single flowers on each stem. These traits in combination werenot present in previously available commercial cultivars.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany. The female, or seedparent was a cultivar designated XVII 512 Lilac, an unpatented cultivar.The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated XXI 1 Frue Lightblue, similarly not patented.

The new cultivar Manitoba was discovered and selected as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross by me in a controlledenvironment in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings and bydivision of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany,has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of as asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany, under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Manitoba which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Single flowers, violet-shaped, light blue in color except for centerswhich are violet blue.

2. Attractive dark green, shiny leaves, generally heart-shaped andslightly hairy.

3. 7 to 9 flower stems, each producing 7 or more single flowers, withthe flowers appearing in the center well above the foliage.

4. Vigorous growth habit.

5. Flexible peticels.

6. Early (5-6 weeks after potting) and continuous blooming.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical speciment plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made both to theRoyal Horticultural Society color chart (RHS) and to the HorticulturalColor Chart issued by Wilson Colour Ltd. (HCC). The values have beenselected from these references in order to provide the most accuratereadings.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv Manitoba.

Parentage:

Male parent.--XXI 1 Frue Light blue.

Female parent.--XVII 512 Lilac.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 7 cm. to 10 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately25-30 cm. in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves:

General form.--Heart-shaped.

Diameter.--60-70 mm.

Texture.--Soft.

Aspect.--Very shiny; hairy, with smooth edges.

Veins.--Visible on upperside, on underside well pronounced.

Color (upperside).--RHS 147A.

Color (underside).--HCC 30/2 (cyclamen purple).

Petiole.--Greenish-brown to dark reddish-brown.

Flowers:

Buds.--Bell-shaped; 7 mm. in diameter just before opening, color RHS 85DViolet.

Sepals.--Color: 177D RHS Greyed orange. Calyx; seed bud grown togetherwith receptacle and pushed slightly through. Aspect: funnel shaped.Peduncle: short and strong.

Individual flowers:

Size.--Up to 60 mm. in diameter, flat funnel.

Color.--Upperside: RHS 91A Violet blue. Underside: RHS 92B Violet blue.the center of the flower is darker, color RHS 93B Violet blue.

Borne.--Each stem carries 7-9 single flowers.

Shape.--Violet-shaped, 2 small and 3 large petals with smooth edges.

Arrangement.--Flowers are on slightly bent flower stems.

Flowering time.-In 5-6 weeks after potting, the first flowers appear.Thereafter, the plant is nearly always in bloom, with 9 or more flowerstems appearing in full bloom.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--2 in number.

Anthers.--Four cells, color RHS 9A Yellow.

Arrangement.--Stamens are connected with receptacle on two short flatstems.

Filaments.--Greenish-yellow, 3-4 mm. long.

Styles.--8 mm. long, slightly bent, color RHS 93B.

Pollen color.--RHS 18C.

Roots: Normal developed, strong main root; small velvety branches, whitewhen young, turning brownish when older.

Disease resistance: No disease problems noticed to date.

General observations: Manitoba has the very valuable attribute of earlyand continuous flowering. The first flowers appear relatively quickly(5-6 weeks) after potting, and thereafter the plant is in continuousbloom. This early and continuous blooming characteristic also appears inthe cultivar Ontario, disclosed in my application filed concurrentlyherewith. Manitoba is distinguished from Ontario by several importantcharacteristics, including flower color and quantity of flowerproduction.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet, as shown anddescribed, known by the varietal name Manitoba and characterized by thecombined characteristics of light blue, violet-shaped single flowers,having violet blue centers; dark green shiny leaves; vigorous growthhabit; with 7 to 9 flower stems producing 7 or more single flowers whenthe plant is in full bloom, and by its early and continuous blooming.